Mock draft survey

Here's what other writers around the country project the Chargers will do with the 16th pick in the first round:

Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN: LB Rey Maualuga, USC. Maualuga is capable of becoming a quality "Mike" linebacker in the NFL but needs to use his hands better to ward off blocks and must be more consistent from week to week.

Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times: OLB Brian Cushing, USC. The Chargers would like a cornerback and running back too but can pick those up later in the draft. Cushing or Trojans teammate Rey Maualuga are fits here.

Greg Cote, Miami Herald: LB Rey Maualuga, USC. Could opt for an heir to L.T. such as Georgia's Knowshon Moreno, but Maualuga has been described as a cross between Junior Seau and Troy Polamalu. How do you pass that up?

Ryan O'Halloran, Washington Times: DE Tyson Jackson, LSU: The Chargers allowed Igor Olshansky to leave for Dallas in free agency, and Jackson is a player skilled enough to play either end or tackle.

Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com: DB Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State. They need a replacement for safety Clinton Hart and Jenkins can play there or corner.

Don Banks, SI.com: RB Beanie Wells, Ohio State. A lot depends on what unfolds with running back/return man Darren Sproles, and obviously LaDainian Tomlinson. But if San Diego needs another runner, Wells might be too highly-rated to pass up. He has some durability issues to battle, but he has talent to burn and would be an excellent replacement for Sproles as a change-of-pace back.

Nolan Nawrocki, Pro Football Weekly: LB Brian Cushing, USC. Cushing can play inside or outside and has the physical, all-out playing demeanor that a hardened, old-school GM such as A.J. Smith tends to fall in love with. With Shawne Merriman entering the final year of his contract and coming off injury, it’s time to beef up the linebacking unit.

Rick Gosselin, Dallas Morning News: LB Brian Cushing, USC. Better players equal better defense. The Chargers finished 25th in defense last season. The return of Shawne Merriman and the selection of Cushing would dramatically improve both the linebacking play and the scheme.

Dan Pompei, Chicago Tribune: WR Jeremy Maclin, Missouri. Maclin shouldn't fall this far, but he would be good fit.